Reel for pile fabrics with wood spreader bar



O t 1967 c; o. WELLIAMS REEL FOR FILE FABRICS WITH WOOD SPREADER BAR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1965 Clarence 0. Williams INVENTOR.

3,347,484 REEL FOR FILE FABRICS WITH WOOD SPREADER BAR Filed June 1, 1965 Oct. 17, 1 967 c. o. WILLIAMS 2 Sheets$heet 2 Clarence 0. Williams INVENTOK.

United States Patent 3,347,484 REEL FGR PILE FABRICS WITH WOOD SPREADER BAR Clarence O. Wiiliains, 204 Kirkwood Ave., Rocky Mount, N.C. 27801 Filed June 1, 1965, Ser. No. 460,200 12 Claims. (Cl. 242-62) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pile fabric reel including a pair of end assemblies spaced apart by a spreader bar and rotatably supported by a supporting base. Each end assembly has a socket receiving the opposite ends of the spreader bar and the base includes rotatable supporting means for engaging each end assembly for releasably and rotatably supporting the reel from the supporting base. Each end assembly includes radially extending arms having outwardly facing hooks on the inner edge thereof with the ends of opposed pairs of arms being interconnected and shaped to conform with the corners of a container for the reel and fabric disposed thereon.

The present invention relates generally to an improved reel and package for storing and shipping pile fabrics such as velvet and the like especially in cardboard containers in such a manner that the layers of fabric wound upon the reel are separate from each other. This invention constitutes an improvement over the structure disclosed in copending application of the same applicant, Ser. No. 291,422, filed June 28, 1963 now Pat. No. 3,189,172 issued June 15, 1965.

This invention provides a reel member which has a spreader bar and cross arms for added stability of construction as well as a novel base member supporting the reel whereby fabrics of a desired variety may be readily placed thereon. More specifically, the present invention provides a square socket member for holding the spreader bar of the reel member, which socket also rovides a support surface for 21 Chuck associated with the base member for rotatably and releasably supporting the reel.

Pile fabric reels presently in use are relatively expensive and heavy and require skilled workers for their ass'embiy. Actually, the reels presently in use normally require the destruction of the shipping carton thereby preventing its re-use. In view of the expensive conventional reels, it was necessary to maintain repair departments or workshops to keep them in proper repair rather than discarding the reels after they have been used.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reel completely independent of the shipping carton which eliminates damage to the carton when shipping and when removing the fabric from the carton with the reel including a socket member which is adapted to fit on the chuck of a supporting and supporting the reel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reel for pile fabrics for use with shipping cartons which allows the user to return a artially used reel to the carton after using a portion of the fabric.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reel for pile fabrics which may be easily assembled and provided with radial arms connected to a central socket member having tab portions which rest against a flange formed in the arms for enabling the arms to have increased strength and rigidity.

Another important feature of the present invention is to provide a novel reel for pile fabric in which the reel is quite simple in construction, easy to assemble, adapted jig or base member for loading for use with a supporting jig or base member, easy to assemble and disassemble and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a base member for use with the reels of this invention having rotatable chuck means for rotatably supporting the reel whereby the reel may be loaded with fabric and then readily removed from the base member for packaging and shipment without destruction of the reel or package.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the reel and base member in operative position;

- FIGURE 2 is a view partially in plan and partially in section taken substantially along the plane of the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the reel structure taken substantially along the plane of the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line 55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line 66 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating the center connecting portion of the arms comprising a portion of the present invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view illustrating the socket member comprising a portion of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the reel structure and a supporting member in combination, the reel structure being sup ported for winding pile fabric 12 thereon in a manner well known in the industry.

The combination comprises a reel assembly 14 and a base member 16. The base member includes upstanding horizontally spaced apart legs 18 and 20. Each leg has a foot portion 22 and 24 which is integrally formed with its respective leg and which contacts the floor and provides stability for the base member 16.

The legs 18 and 20 are connected together by a bottom horizontal bar 26 which is attached to each leg 18 and 20 at the bottom portion thereof. The legs 18 and 20 terminate in upper supporting or shaft journaling chuck members 28 and 30. The supporting chucks 28 and 30 are integrally formed at the upper portion of the legs 18 and 20 and comprise tubular portions having their central axes extending along the same line and lying in a plane taken through the center of the bar 26. Journaled in the chucks 28 and 30 are red members 32 and 34, each of which has a bifurcated head portion 36 and 38. The bifurcated head portions 36 and 38 each include first and second finger'members 40, which members are substantially parallel and extend the same distance outwardly from the members 32 and 34. The members 32 and 34 are rotatably supported in the supporting chucks 28 and 30, and are held therein by conventional washers 42 and cotter pins (not shown). The chucks 28 and 30 are spring loaded laterally of the legs 18 and 20 thereby allowing the reel 14 to be inserted and withdrawn from base member 16. However, it will be apparent that the reel may be removed from the base member in other ways. As is apparent from the above discussion, the 'base member 16 is adapted to support the reel 14 in the bifurcated heads 36 and 38 of the rotatably mounted rod members 32 and 34. Thus, the reel 14 is rotatable after being loaded with pile fabric 12 and it may be readily removed from the.

base member 16 for further handling and packaging.

The reel assembly 14 includes two identical end assemblies interconnected by a wood spreader bar 44 which extends therebetween and is connected thereto. Each end assembly of the reel 14 includes four radially extending arms designated generally by the numeral 46 with each arm including a main flange 48 extending longitudinally along the arms. One longitudinal edge of the arm is provided with a flange 50 in perpendicular relation to flange 48. The flange 50 forms a reinforcement and a stiffener for the arms. The edge of the flange 48 opposite the flange 50 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, L-shaped hooks 52 which open radially outwardly for engaging the convolutions of the pile fabric. Also, the flange 48 is provided with a longitudinally continuous reinforcing rib 54 of generally V-shaped configuration as illustrated in FIGURE 7 with one wall of the rib 54 being inclined while the other wall is perpendicular to the flange 48. Intermediate the lateral flange 50 and the reinforcing rib 54 is a flat area 56.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 7, it may be observed that the arms are defined by V-shaped members which are joined together at their apices as by welding 60, and form therebetween substantially V-shaped recessed areas 62 and 64.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1, 3 and 8, reference numeral 66 refers generally to a socket member which connects the wood spreader bar 44 to the end assemblies and arms 46. The socketmembers comprise generally box-like rectangular members. 68 which have parallel sides 70 and 72 of equal depth and parallel sides 74 and 76 of equal and substantially less depth than sides 70 r and 72. Folded away from the corners of the sides 74 and 76 are tabs 78 which are welded or otherwise connected to the inner flat flange portion 48 of the arms 46 adjacent their inner end. The socket member 66 is preferably made from a flat piece of metallic material which is folded over with the ends overlapped and fastened as at 80 and which is provided with a front flared portion 82 for receiving the wood spreader bar 44. Thus it will be appreciated that the socket member 66 is integrally attached to the arms 46 thereby completing the end assemblies of the reel 14. The spreader bar 44 is force fit and frictionally held in the socket member 66 thereby interconnecting the end assemblies in order to provide a unitary reel member 14.

It may be observed that the width of the socket member 66 corresponds generally to the space between the finger members 40 of the bifurcated heads 36 and 38 thereby providing a tight fit when the bifurcated head is placed in the recesses 62 and 64 and over the socket member 66..Thus, the unitary construction of the arms 46 is formed by connecting the arms together at 60, and connecting the socket members to each of the arms by the tabs 78. Further, when the reel is placed in the base member, a substantially sturdy and non-vibratory effect is achieved by the tight fit of the bifurcated head 36 and 38 aboutthe reel member, when the reel is rotated on the base member. Further, the outer ends of arms 46 curve inwardly toward each other a short distance in pairs of substantially flat portions 86. Each pair of extensions 86 which extend toward each other is joined by a channel member or crossbar 88 which is welded or otherwise permanently affixed to the extensions 86, thereby providing additional stability and rigidity for the end assemblies. The curved portions 84 constitute acute angular offsets on the arms 46 and, due to the manner of inclining or beveling the end of the rib 54 as at 89, a smooth corner is provided so as not to puncture the carton in which these reels are packed for shipment.

Referring to FIGURE 7 it may be observed that the arms 46 are composed of two elongate members 90 each of which is folded at 92 and 94, the fold 92 causing the 4 flange 50 to bend or wrinkle and the fold 94 causing the rear portion of rib 54 to bend or wrinkle. This enables,

the members to be folded at their center in order to provide the recesses 62 and 64 and in order to be welded or otherwise connected as at 60.-Thus, it is apparent that due to the arms constituting only two members which are welded to each other as well as being welded to an additional member 66 at their center portions, as Well as crossbars 88 provided at the outer portion of the arms, the end assemblies are extremely rigid and sturdy in construction, while at the same time there is provided a lightweight, strong and yet relatively inexpensive reel structure when the assemblies are connected by the spreader bar 44.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A machine for winding and packing pile fabric com-.

prising a base member, said base member including upstanding horizontally spaced apart legs, support means on said legs, a reel supported by said support means, said reel comprising an elongated spreader bar adapted to extend throughout the center of a spirally wrapped fabric roll, an end assembly engaged with each end of said bar,

each end assembly including a socket member, a plurality tending into said recess areas and in engagement with said socket member for rotatably supporting said reel in substantially horizontal position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer end of each arm has an acute angular offset portion for engagement in the corner of a polygonal container whereby the arms form radii of said container and said crossbar lies adjacent the side of said container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said armsincludes a lateralflange on the longitudinal outer edge thereof for reinforcing said arms.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rod member is rotatably mounted in a chuck integrally formed with said legs, said chuck being movable laterally of said reel thereby allowing said reel to be withdrawn from said base member.

5. In a reel assembly for supporting pile fabric, a reel structure comprising an elongate spreader bar adapted to extend throughout the center of a pile fabric roll, an end assembly engaged with each end of said bar, each end assembly including a socket member, a plurality of arms secured to said socket members in generally perpendicular relation thereto, said arms extending radially outwardly from said socket members, each arm including a reinforcing rib, each arm having a flat portion on the axial inner edge thereof, and hooks formed on said fiat portion extending throughout the entire length of the inner edge for engagement with the convolutions of the pile fabric roll, said socket members being substantially rectangular in configuration, said spreader bar being frictionally seated within said socket members, said socket members including flaps integrally formed therewith, said flaps being fixed .a to said flat portion for securing said arms to said socket members.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each said end assembly includes at least one crossbar joining selected outer ends of said arms.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the outer end of each arm has an acute angular offset portion for engagement in the corner of a polygonal container whereby the arms form radii of said container and said crossbar lies adjacent the side of said container.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said arms includes a lateral flange on the longitudinal outer edge thereof for reinforcing said arms.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said arms provide substantially V-shaped recess areas adjacent said socket members.

10. A machine for winding and packing pile fabric comprising a base member, said base member including upstanding horizontally spaced apart legs, support means on said legs, a reel supported by said support means, said reel comprising an elongated spreader bar adapted to extend throughout the center of a spirally wrapped fabric roll, an end assembly engaged with each end of said bar, each end assembly including a socket member, a plurality of arms secured to said socket members in generally perpendicular relation thereto, said arms extending radially outwardly from said socket members, means along the inner edge of each arm to engage the convolutions of the pile fabric roll, said arms being constructed in pairs with the arms of each pair being of unitary construction and defining a continuous angled member having the apex thereof rigidly fixed to the apex of a similar angle member defining the other pair of arms.

11. The structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said support means on said legs includes a bifurcated rod member rotatably mounted on said legs and extending into the inside corner of the apices of the angle members defining the arms.

12. The structure as defined in claim 11 wherein each arm is provided with a longitudinal reinforcing rib and a longitudinal laterally extending edge flange, said rib and edge flange being continuous through the apex of the angle member to rigidity and reinforce said arms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,400,529 12/1921 Copeland. 2,831,641 4/1958 Hart 242 55 3,189,172 6/1965 Williams 206-51 LEONARD D. CHRISTIAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR WINDING AND PACKING PILE FABRIC COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER, SAID BASE MEMBER INCLUDING UPSTANDING HORIZONTALLY SPACED APART LEGS, SUPPORT MEANS ON SAID LEGS, A REEL SUPPORTED BY SAID SUPPORT MEANS, SAID REEL COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SPREADER BAR ADAPTED TO EXTEND THROUGHOUT THE CENTER OF A SPIRALLY WRAPPED FABRIC ROLL, AN END ASSEMBLY ENGAGED WITH EACH END OF SAID BAR, EACH END ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A SOCKET MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF ARMS SECURED TO SAID SOCKET MEMBERS IN GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR RELATIONSHIP THERETO, SAID ARMS EXTENDING RADIALY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID SOCKET MEMBERS, EACH ARM INCLUDING A REINFORCING RIB, EACH ARM HAVING A FLAT PORTION ON THE AXIAL INNER EDGE THEREOF, AND HOOKS FORMED ON SAID FLAT PORTION EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE INNER EDE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONVOLUTIONS OF THE PILE FABRIC ROLL, SAID ARMS PROVIDING SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPED RECESS AREAS ADJACENT SAID SOCKET MEMBERS, SAID SUPPORT MEANS COMPRISING A BIFURCATED ROD MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID LEGS, SAID ROD MEMBER EXTENDING INTO SAID RECESS AREAS AND IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SOCKET MEMBER FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID REEL IN SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION. 